Working Denbighshire supports English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Working Denbighshire has begun an exciting new initiative to support people who don’t speak English or Welsh as a first language, to help them on their route to employment, cultural orientation, volunteering placements and to help them integrate in to their local community and reduce social isolation. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are being delivered in partnership with Adult Learning Wales.
The ESOL classes provide an informal, warm, friendly and fun learning setting. Two taster sessions were held in February to raise awareness and to meet the tutor. The course started on March 1st and is a free 12-week course, which promotes using the English language in a work setting,
The ESOL courses are delivered by Anna Gomes from Adult Learning Wales. Anna says: “I am thoroughly enjoying the experience of teaching these individuals. It is great to see how learning the English language is helping the participants and their families to integrate in the community and access the local job market. My lessons are conducted in a very friendly and non-threating environment.
"Many of the individuals- including Syrian refugees - have never been in education of any type. It has been a pleasure to support them with the basics, adapting to life in the UK for themselves and their children and in time, gain the capabilities to look for employment. So far, we have been working with nine participants, consisting of Polish, Turkish, Chinese and Syrian (Arabic) learners. Participants learn via spelling, learning the phonetic alphabet and singing the alphabet, all within the context of applying for employment.
"I use mock-situations and role play scenarios with the aim of them producing a CV by the end of the course. Other new skills include general health and safety at work processes, understanding of speed limits, warning signage (including fire exits, no smoking etc.). One of the biggest long term goals is for these people to be able to become financially independent."
For more information and to register for future ESOL courses please contact Working Denbighshire on 01745 331438, email them at workingdenbighshire@denbighshire.gov.uk or more information can be found at Rhyl Library.
Woodland skills course for Working Denbighshire participants
A number of Working Denbighshire participants recently attended a bespoke training course delivered at the Woodland Skills Centre in Bodfari.
The Council's Working Denbighshire project provides one-to-one support to individuals, working with them to achieve their personal goals using a variety of activities.
The Woodland Skills Centre is based in the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and those attending had a chance to build self-confidence, self-esteem, the ability to work individually and in a group alongside learning new skills.
All participants completed a Level 3 Emergency First Aid course and gained certificates for Coppice Crafts and Green Woodwork.
The Council is committed to developing and building resilient communities across the most deprived areas, focusing on tackling poverty by providing support that helps people into work, volunteering and education, removing barriers into employment.
We'd like to congratulate all those who took part in the course. The group very quickly developed a rapport, forming a supportive group who interacted and communicated well, helping each other and working as a team. They have gained new skills and experiences and grown in confidence, increased self-esteem and displayed an overall improvement in well-being.
Participants from Rhyl and Denbigh along with Working Denbighshire staff